Courage, confidence and character — those are qualities Girl Scouts of the United States of America hopes to instill in its members. Taylor Road Middle School seventh grader Sabrina Yvellez also believes those are the attributes of women serving, or having served, in the United States Armed Forces.

For her Girl Scout Silver Award project, Sabrina, a resident of Johns Creek, has a mission to raise $13,000 to fund the “Women in Service” monument plaza that will be erected at the proposed Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk at Newtown Park.

To earn a Silver Award, Girl Scouts have to select and carry out a sustainable community service. This project was personal to Sabrina, a member of Troop 24301, because she said she has several family members that have either served or are serving in the military.

Her family — including her father who served in the Marine Corps — is very proud of Sabrina’s goal, said mother Brenda Yvellez, who describes her 12-year-old as a hard worker who is very dedicated to the project. Spreading awareness of the veterans memorial walk is important to Sabrina.

“I want [the community] to know [the cause],” she said.

The veterans memorial walk, scheduled to break ground Memorial Day and tentatively slated for completion November 2014, will have 10 monument plazas along its pathway. Ed Pearlman, member of the Johns Creek Veterans Association, said Sabrina’s interest is a big boost to the project.

“I think it’s good to see the younger people interested, because more and more we’re seeing that they’re not being taught anything about military history in school anymore,” he said.

Wayne Kidd, another association member, added, “It’s a wonderful endeavor that she’s taken up, and we’re giving her all the support that she requires to help her make her goal.”

Though her first fundraising event last month was rained out, Sabrina said she does not let that deter her. She continually spreads awareness of her project and has created a website and blog to document her progress.

“The more support and help I get, it really encourages me,” she said.

“I’m just trying to let everyone know what I’m doing.”

Sabrina has a campaign to get 25 businesses to donate $250 towards her goal. Also as part of the project, she will plan a Girl Scouts’ forum around Veterans Day and hopes to invite speakers who are former Girl Scouts who have served in the military.

A closer look:Visit www.mygirlscoutproject.com to find out how you can contribute to Sabrina’s project and keep up with her fundraising progress.

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